Belmar Firefighters Still at Scene Several Hours After Fire Erupts at Former Hollycroft Inn in Lake Como

By CATHY GOETZ

January 5, 2018 at 7:39 PM

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At dusk, the sky is aglow with flames that can be seen coming from the house at 2 Ripley Lane, Lake Como, which was once a popular bed and breakfast inn.Credits: Paul Spennrath

Belmar's three fire companies, assisted by others from surrounding communities, battle not only the blaze at the former Hollycroft Inn, but the bitterly cold temperatures and whipping winds. Credits: Paul Spennrath

Smoke billows from the house at 2 Ripley Lane, Lake Como, where a fire was reported at 4:15 p.m. today, January 5. Credits: Cathy Goetz

A ladder truck reaches the roof of the burning structure at 2 Ripley Lane, Lake Como, the former Hollycroft Inn.Credits: Cathy Goetz

The English-style home, which faces Lake Como and is two blocks from the beachfront, is the former Hollycroft Inn. Credits: MLS

LAKE COMO, NJ — Firefighters were still at the scene nearly three hours after a house fire broke out at 2 Ripley Lane, which was once a popular bed-and-breakfast inn.

Belmar's three fire companies, assisted by others from surrounding communities, battled not only the blaze at the former Hollycroft Inn, but the bitterly cold temperatures and whipping winds after a call came in at about 4:15 p.m. on January 5, reporting that "heavy fire was showing from the rear of the structure."

According to firsthand reports, frozen fire hydrants hindered firefighting efforts for at least the first 25 minutes upon their arrival to the scene. There were no reported injuries, and any occupants of the house were able to evacuate, officials said.

For several hours, smoke could be seen billowing from the sprawling English-style home, which faces Lake Como and is two blocks from the beachfront. A cause has yet to be determined as firefighting efforts continued as of 6:45 p.m.

“With the temperature being 13 degrees and the high winds, these firefighters are out there in rough conditions,” said Belmar Mayor Matthew Doherty. Last week, Belmar and Lake Como entered into a shared services agreement for Belmar to take over fire protection services for its neighboring town.

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